MERE DOST AGAR MERAA SAATH NAHI DETE , TOH MAI DILIP KUMAR KO MERI BHET KAISE ARPAN KAR SAKTAA?

The day the legend of Dilip Kumar came to an end I could see my end too. I howled and screamed for almost half the day , l knew he was very critical , but like Saira Ji, l too had hope and faith about life being kind to the legend and his beautiful guard for more than 60 years , Saira Ji - Ali Peter John

I kept telling myself that the news could be a rumour , but by 2 pm , it was all over and l had to surrender to the forces of death and get back to work because l had made up my mind that come what may , l would work hard to pay my tribute to a man who was both a great actor and a loving and caring father to me .

I sat down to think about all the things l could write about him , the words and the feelings came flowing , but who would put those words and feelings into a mobile or any way in which l could convey my feelings about a magnificent life who l was blessed to have a close association with

I first called a girl who was always helpful to me when it came to typing and in my desperation , l couldnt understand her problems and even got angry with her but l had to work my heart out for the love and respect of one of the greatest man I had met and known in my life

My caretaker (I dont know why they call the most helpful people , "caretakers") panicked when she saw me behaving in the most childish manner and she treated my behaviour as a major crisis and would have sent for the doctor or called an ambulance to rush me to a hospital where they kill more than they save these days.

But my friend Bihaan Sen reached me in a shorter time than any ambulance could and l could feel revived and full of hope to fulfill my goal

We got to work and l thank Bihaan for all his help and support while l wracked his mind with the torrent of words that came down from my heart , my soul , my mind and whatever else was a part of my life

It was like a factory of emotions working overtime as l reeled out one article after another , l had forgotten all the ailments , aches and pains and made Bihaan type for me till l almost dropped dead at times and had to drop myself on my bed only to dream of writing some more articles the next day and as usual my friend Bihaan was there to stand by me till l completed my mission

And for some more relief, l had a pretty young woman called Priyanka Singh from Calcutta who l felt would not be of much help but the confidence and the will to do she showed me was unbelievable to say the least , she was truly like an angel sent not from heaven but from the city of Mother Teresa who came to me to give her best till it hurt

And there was Priyanka's mother , Pushpa who kept worrying about my health but also kept me alive with her endless rounds of black tea and Marie Biscuits.

And on the other end was my friend Mr P K Bajaj and his team of translators and page maker Ghanshyam who kept pace with my madness and passion

And together we brought out an entire issue on the magic of Dilip kumar within 3 days and this is not going to be the end of my stories about Mohammed Yusuf Khan, there will be more coming in the next issue of Mayapuri , the magazine which has stood the test of time and has been my inspiring support during all these lock downs and other kinds of crisis.

I hope l have the same energy and passion to work for some more time. I have many more stories to tell and have no assurance from time or my health if l could carry on .

But if young men like Bihaan and young woman like Priyanka can understand my madness and support it , l am sure that l will work in the light of their support and tell many more stories which are living in my heart and mind and waiting to be told.

I thank Bihaan Sen , Priyanka Singh and her mother Pushpa Singh for everything they have done for me and l hope they will do for me in the future .

KOSHISH KI KABHI HAAR NAHI HOTI . KOSHISH KARNEWAALON KO BHI HAAR NAHI HOTI. AGAR KOSHISH NAHI KARENGE TOH KUCH BHI NAHI HO SAKEGAA . DILIP KUMAR NE BHI KHOOB KOSHISH KI HOGI , NAHI TOH WOH ADAAKAARI KE SHAHENSHAH NAHI BANTE.